Interesting; thanks for the tips. FWIW, the Epson R-D1 has gotten very
good reports over on Rangefinder forum for its in-camera B&W
conversion. I haven't seen any actual prints, but what I've seen in
web images looked better than other cameras. For $3K for the body, it
ought to be good.
Earl
AG Schnozz wrote:
>I've been doing quite a bit of experimentation with conversion
>of color images to B&W. Simple you say? Sure, but with a
>twist.
>
>A huge advantage of conversion to B&W in post-production is the
>ability to experiment with different "filters" to achieve
>different effects. These are just as good as using filters on
>the lens when shooting actual B&W film.
>
>Really?
>
>Uh, no.
>
>You can achieve similar effects, but there are notable
>differences. Film has response curves which are different than
>digital sensors or color film. The way film renders blues,
>greens and reds is in different ratios than the human eye. These
>differences are critical as the film is able to then reproduce
>what we "think we saw" instead of pure reality. Skintones are
>better and the tonal sweep is more pleasing. Most of all, film
>has a shoulder and toe that renders details in ways that give
>you a long+short tonal range, whereas digital/color is either
>tonally long or short.
>
>I have seen some outstanding digital B&W photography. But in
>nearly every case there is a specific look to either digital or
>converted color images that is slightly disturbing. I haven't
>quite put my finger on it, yet. But in a nutshell there is a
>dynamic present in true B&W that just isn't there in any other
>means. People have successfully done it once in a while, but it
>doesn't come naturally.
>
>I have discovered a nifty little trick, though, which may help
>those of you who wish to convert digital color to B&W. Adjust
>the WB to 6000 (or higher) for daylight pictures. The lean
>towards the red end of the spectrum mimicks the skewed response
>curve of most B&W films. Disable Auto WB select a daylight
>setting of cloudy or shade. Even indoors under artifical light.
>
>BTW, one camera that does very respectable B&W in-camera is the
>Minolta A1. I'm getting very good results with it and the
>look/feel is close to HP5+.
>
>I'm not about to give up the OMs quite yet. The Minolta does
>better B&W than the E-1 (converted files), but good old Ilford
>film (regardless of type) trumps them all.
>
>Especially when using filters.
>
>AG
>
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